Why Proficiency?

Amy LenordSpanish Teacher – Instructional Consultant

Shepton High School - Plano ISD

Learning TargetsI can…O Identify and explain the main motivators

for students taking language classes.O Explain the difference between a

traditional language program and a proficiency based language program.

O Discuss the benefits of a proficiency based program.

O Identify the necessary components of a proficiency based program.

A Little ReflectionMy Language StoryO Fold a sheet of paper into 6 squares. Fill those

squares in with the following items:SQUARE 1

Draw a picture that represents what

your 2nd language learning looked like.

SQUARE 2Write one sentence

about how you developed the

fluency you have now in the 2nd

language.

SQUARE 3Write 5 key words that explain why

you chose to pursue learning a 2nd

language beyond the normal

requirement.SQUARE 4

Draw a symbol that represents how you

feel about your fluency in the 2nd language now.

SQUARE 5Write 3-6 bullets that explain what

you were able to do in the language

after finishing your required classes.

SQUARE 6Draw a picture that represents what you hope your students

get out of your class.

Now, share your language story with

the whole group.

What is the MAIN reason why the

majority of students study a

language?

An Important Question:

An Important Question:

What is the MAIN reason why the

majority of students study a

language?A majority of

students indicated that wanting to be

able to speak a second language

was the main reason for studying

it.Attrition in Foreign Language Courses: Possible Causes and

Solutions(Unpublished doctoral

dissertation) Maria Nuzzo, 2006

What percentage of

students DO NOT continue language

study once the perceived requirements

are met?

One More Important Question:

What percentage of students

DO NOT continue language study once

the perceived requirements are

met?

One More Important Question:

75%

So, why do they leave?O I’m graduating.O I hate it.O I want more fun classes.O I’m tired of studying this

language.O Don’t have the patience for

it.O LazyO I would probably fail it.O Two foreign language

credits is all that is required for a diploma of distinction.

O I already know the language--we speak it at home.

O Don’t want toO It is getting very hard for me,

and I need other subjects to graduate with honors.

O Too hardO Don’t like it, and I’m not good

at it.O Tired of the languageO The class is interesting, but I

didn’t enjoy it very much. There are more useful and enjoyable classes I can take later.

“ I am so tired of

all these d*** verbs!”

And when asked why he would not be continuing his language studies beyond the

second year one student said:

Survey conducted by the Arlington ISD World Language Department, Spring 2012

Motivation is THE most

influential factor in

learning a new

language.R.C. Gardner in Shrum and Glisan

Teacher’s Handbook, 2010

So, why proficiency?

The Elephants in the Room

Exploring the PossibilitiesExamining Student Samples

Changing Our Thinking:

The ACTFL Proficiency GuidelinesHow do they apply to our students?

How do they apply to us?How do they evaluate our

practices?

ACTFL Proficiency Level Samples

Changing How We Act:Traditional Language Instruction

Proficiency Based Instruction

Language Concepts Learning Targets

Textbook Chapters Thematic Units

Objective Tests Performance AssessmentsGrammar & Vocabulary

DevelopmentIntentional Proficiency

DevelopmentTeaching in English Teaching in the Target

LanguageCulture Days or Projects Embedded Culture

Realities & Reassurances

What has to change to move our program towards

proficiency building?

How does that affect

me as a teacher?

Access to All Workshop Resources:

www.amylenord.net/why-proficiency.html

Works Cited:O American Council for the Teaching of Foreign

Languages. 2012 ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines.O American Council for the Teaching of Foreign

Languages. 2013 NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do Statements.

O Arlington ISD World Languages. 2012 Student Survey Data.

O Duncan, Greg. 2012 Lesson Planning for 21st CenturyLearners: Some Things We Need to Know

(presentation).O Nuzzo, Maria. 2006 Attrition in the Foreign Language

Classroom: Possible Causes and Solutions (unpublished dissertation).